Moyne Health Services funding

Member for Western Victoria James Purcell, Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy, Moyne Health CEO Jackie Kelly and chairperson Ralph Leutton at the announcement of a $2.1m grant to finish the Moyne Community Health centre. Picture: Rob Gunstone

Moyne Health Services (MHS) will receive $2.1 million to complete its community health centre in Port Fairy.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy visited the site on Wednesday to announce the funding, which will help fit-out level one of the building.

Members of the MHS board of directors, Moyne Shire mayor Mick Wolfe and Upper House member for Western District James Purcell were on hand for the announcement.

The community health centre was officially opened earlier this year and Ms Hennessy said the latest funding comes from the state government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.

“We believe that all Victorians deserve access to the very best health services close to home, regardless of where they live,” she said.

Work fitting out level one of the building is expected to be completed by mid-2019. The centre came into use earlier this year.

MHS CEO Jackie Kelly said the funding was a huge win for the Port Fairy community.

“It’s absolutely fantastic news, it means we will be able to meet the health needs of our community,” Ms Kelly said.

“This is the result of a lot of hard work and lobbying. James Purcell and Moyne Shire Council, through its CEO David Madden, have helped out our case forward.

“There will now be consultation with the community to see what they want before we decide the exact layout of level one.”

Port Fairy-based Mr Purcell said the funding announcement was “magnificent”.

“A lot of credit needs to go to the board and the staff here,” Mr Purcell said.

“And also David Lee (former CEO) who put together a long-term plan that had everyone involved. He put it into chewable chunks so every time you get an opportunity you can grab a chunk of it and do something with it. And you finish up with some great projects out of it, this will be around for decades and something the community can put to great use.”

In July, MHS received $2.1 million from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund to upgrade the urgent care facilities.

While in Port Fairy on Wednesday, Ms Hennessy turned the first sod on that project. Work on the urgent care facility is expected to be completed by late 2018.